Chapter Eight

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“Steady now.”

A voice from outside his window wakes him up. “Hold it steady,” the voice says again. Getting out of bed, he goes over to the window and sees Illan there with the eight recruits. Each of the recruits is holding a sword in their right hand at exactly a forty five degree angle. To his surprise, one of them is a girl. As he watches for a moment, one of them lets their sword droop a fraction. Illan notices and gets right in their face.

“You will hold it steady until I tell you to stop!” he yells at the lad. The recruit grits his teeth as he strains to raise the sword to bring it back into line with the others. James can see the strain and struggle in all their faces as they attempt to keep it up and in the correct position. “You are going to learn to use your sword, and by god you’ll learn to use it well. The first thing you must learn is endurance.” Another allows their sword to droop a fraction and he’s right on top of him until it rises back in line with the others.

The girl manages to maintain the correct angle of her sword throughout the drill. The determination clear upon her face.

“In combat,” Illan continues, “the first one to lose strength, the first one who can no longer swing their sword, is the first one to die!”

“Lower them,” he commands.

James watches as they bring their swords down, relief evident upon their faces. Then Illan says, “Switch hands!”

“What?” one of the boys asks. “I don’t use my left hand?”

Illan comes over to him and says, “What if your right arm is wounded? Are you going to tell the man trying to kill you to stop attacking because you don’t fight with your left hand?” Staring straight at the boy, he yells, “Left hand, now!”

Gulping, the lad passes his sword to his left hand and joins his fellows in holding it up at a forty five degree angle.

Moving away from his window, James gets dressed and then goes out to the kitchen for breakfast. He finds Tersa and Jiron there finishing up their meal. “I see Illan has them working hard this morning,” he says.

Smiling, Jiron replies, “They’ve been at it for over an hour now.”

“May have to construct a barracks of some kind if they’re going to be here permanently,” says James as he sits down at the table.

Tersa gets up and brings him over a plate with eggs and tubers.

Seeing the eggs, he asks, “So Ezra has the new chickens laying already?”

“Most of them never even stopped as she was afraid of,” Tersa replies, sitting back down next to her brother

“Good,” James says as he takes a large bite of eggs.

“While the recruits are training, the rest of us are on patrol duty,” Jiron informs him. “Illan says they must have at least three hours of practice a day, maybe more when all of us are here. They didn’t really expect all this training when we first asked around for help, but it makes sense.”

Nodding, James adds, “After what we’ve been through the last week, any and all training can only help.” He eats a couple more bites in silence before continuing, “I saw a girl out there with the others.”

“Oh, that’s Errin,” he says. “She’s the daughter of some farmer on the far side of town. When her father heard we were asking for help, he brought her over to us. Said she was a hellcat and would fit right in.”

“He did, did he?” James asks.

“Yeah, he did,” answers Jiron with a grin. “In fact, he seemed right glad to be rid of her. But she’s caused no problems and she can shoot a bow better than any of the others. You probably didn’t see her yesterday because we have her mainly patrolling the woods.”

“Does she want to be here?” he asks, concerned about forcing someone to do something against their will. Especially something that could endanger their lives.

“She’s taken to it with great determination,” Jiron tells him. “Yern says that she was wasted back on the farm and that’s where she would have most likely spent her days seeing as how the Cardri army doesn’t allow women recruits.”

They spend the remainder of breakfast catching up on small details that have cropped up since James was gone, thankfully nothing of any real importance. Just before he’s done eating, Roland comes in from the front room.

“Oh, there you are,” he says to James. “I need to talk to you.”

Getting up, James says to Jiron and Tersa, “If you’ll excuse me.”

“Of course,” Jiron says.

He follows Roland as he exits the kitchen and moves toward James’ room. Once inside, he closes the door and comes over to the chest and lifts the lid. What had once been a chest filled to the brim, now contains only a few coins.

“What happened?” asked James, shocked.

“What happened?” echoes Roland. “We’ve got construction going on and that seems to be a constant drain on our coins. New recruits for security, not to mention arming them and feeding them, plus just the maintenance of this place, it all costs. We’re fast running out of money.”

“I’ll go down to Alexander’s and get some more,” he tells him.

“Do that,” he says. “Also, you need to tell him that you’ll allow me to withdraw funds while you’re gone so I can keep this place going. I tried to while they were hunting for you, but since you hadn’t made that stipulation, he wouldn’t release any to me.”

“Sorry, I hadn’t thought of that,” apologizes James. “I’ll take care of that today.”

“That’s not the worst of it,” Roland says with a worried look.

“Oh?” asks James.

“The money you have with Alexander will last awhile, but at the rate we’re spending, it probably won’t last more than a few months, maybe less. We have to find a source of income, one that’s consistent and which we can count on.”

“Do you have any suggestions?” he asks.

Shaking his head, Roland says, “No. The only one I can even think of is for you to make similar objects like your shaving knife that Delia could sell for us.”

“I really don’t want to do that,” he says.

“I know, we’ve discussed it before,” Roland replies. “But try to come up with something, and don’t take too long about it.”

“Alright,” James tells him. “Anything else?”

Giving him a smile, he says, “Just that we’re all glad you’re back.”

“So am I,” agrees James.

Roland leaves him there in his room alone, shutting the door behind him as he leaves. He moves over to his window and looks out at the recruits. Jorry and Uther are demonstrating sword techniques while Illan explains them, how to achieve them and their various merits.

Errin is watching the exhibition with keen attention and is unconsciously pantomiming with her hands the motions she sees.

He leaves his room and makes his way out to his workshop. On the way, Illan sees him and waves him over. As he approaches, Uther and Jorry come to a halt and lower the wooden swords they’ve been using for the demonstration.

To his recruits, Illan says, “For those of you who don’t know him yet, this is James, the master of The Ranch.”

Eight pairs of eyes stare at him as he comes to a stop in front of them. “James,” Illan continues, “these young men and lady, have all agreed to help in keeping the security and to warn of any possible attack.”

“You know Devin,” he says. Devin gives him a smile and a nod.

“Yeah,” James replies, returning the smile, “we’ve met once or twice.”

“The other ones are, Orry, Caleb, Errin, Jace, Nerrin, Moyil, and Terrance.” He points to them one by one as he makes his way through the group.

When he’s done, James nods to them all and says, “Glad to have you aboard. I just have a couple things you need to know. First of all, I do magic.” Pointing over to his workshop, he continues, “Over there is my workshop and when I’m inside, don’t disturb me unless it’s for an emergency. It could prove disastrous. Second, I may have experiments running out in the forest. Don’t touch them! Walking by them will cause no harm, but there may be some where coming into contact can be fatal.”

Some of the recruits’ eyes widen and their faces pale. James smiles inwardly, these must’ve been the ones who had moved the crystals out in the forest while he was gone. “I would be most unhappy if I had to go and tell your family you’re dead because you couldn’t leave well enough alone. Understand?” He gets eight nods in response. “Good!”

“Finally, I would appreciate it if you all would stop spreading rumors about me. What goes on here, I want to stay here. Anyone caught talking about anything I do to someone outside of here, will be discharged.” Pausing a moment to let that sink in, he asks, “Any questions?”

Eight hands fly into the air and he says, “In case you’re going to ask me about whether or not I’ve captured evil spirits or not, I haven’t.” Seven hands lower and only one remains, Errin’s. “Yes?” he asks her.

“Is it true that the Empire sent a mage and fighters here to kill you?” she asks.

Nodding, he says, “Yes, that’s true. I have made some enemies and they may come here seeking revenge for wrongs they may feel I have done them. But I assure you, that I never sought them out, nor did I ever instigate anything with any party. My general philosophy is live and let live, be nice to all and to help those you can.”

“Anything else?” he asks. When no questions are forthcoming, he says, “Then I’ll let you resume your training.”

“Thank you, sir,” Illan says to him.

“You’re welcome,” he replies and then begins moving back toward his workshop. From behind him, he hears Illan say, “Alright now! Pair up and we’ll practice the techniques you’ve just been shown.”

Glancing over his shoulder, he sees the recruits picking up the wooden swords lying beside them on the ground. Then they get up and begin pairing off. He sees Devin has managed to be paired with the dark haired Errin.

Finally back in his workshop, he closes the door and takes his seat at the workbench. They all look so young, none can be over fourteen. He fervently hopes none come to harm while they’re here.

Turning back to the matters at hand, he decided to go into town after lunch to take care of his business with Alexander. What is he going to do for funds? He’s not going to be able to put that off indefinitely, not from what Roland said.

He hears a wagon rolling toward the house from down the lane so he gets up and looks out the window. Ezra is returning with Miko and Fifer from town. James sighs when he sees the amount of food stacked in the back of the wagon. Expensive.

These people go through food like a horde of locust. Returning to his seat at his workbench, he decides to shelve that worry for awhile. His main concern now is the ‘Fire’ and getting it hidden away. In a day or two, the box he’s commissioned will be completed and he will need to have everything in readiness so he can move fast to hide it for good.

He’s already come up with the general idea of where to hide it. Now he just needs to figure out how to hide it from searches, especially those magical in nature. The first problem, how to supply the power for the spells needed to hide it, seems to have been solved. On the chest, he’s having five crystals embedded, one on each side. Four can be responsible for the gathering of magic, the fifth needs to be able to draw on the stored power of the four to empower the spells of hiding.

What he needs to figure out now, is a way for magic to hide the ‘Fire’. He finally decides to take something out into the forest and then try to locate it by magical means. All the while he’ll be focusing on how the magic is locating it and try to come up with a way to counter it.

He takes one of the stools from the workshop and etches an ‘X’ in the top of it. Then he leaves the workshop and carries the stool about ten yards into the forest. After setting it down, he returns to the workshop and then takes out his mirror as he begins trying to locate the stool…

“Lunch!” he hears Ezra calling. Canceling the spell, he puts his mirror down in frustration. He understands better now how the magic is locating it, he just hasn’t come up with a good way to actually counter it. This is harder than I thought.

As he gets up from the workbench, he realizes he’s quite tired from all the magic he’s been doing. His head aches a little and when he leaves his workshop, he has to shade his eyes to keep the sun from hurting him. Once in the kitchen, he washes up and then takes his place at the table.

“How’s it going?” asks Jiron.

“Frustrating,” he replies. “Just when I feel I understand, I realize that I don’t.”

“I’m sure you’ll get it,” Tersa says encouragingly. “This will just take time.”

“I know,” replies James. “Just not sure how much time we’ll have.”

“What do you mean?” she asks.

“Oh, nothing,” Turning to Illan, he asks, “How’s the training going?”

Shaking his head, he says, “I doubt if anyone will kill themselves with their sword, but they’ve just had no experience at this sort of thing. A couple are good marksmen with the bows, especially Errin, but they’re hopeless with swords. Given enough time, I’m sure we can shape them up.”

“It’s only been a few days,” Jiron says.

“True,” admits Illan.

“I’m going into town today,” he announces to everyone.

“I better come with you,” Jiron states.

“Me, too,” Miko pipes up.

“Alright,” he agrees. “We’ll leave right after lunch.”

James is quiet during most of the meal, his mind on the problem with the spells as well as the funds needed for this place. There’re lots of gadgets he could introduce into this world from his own that would turn a profit, like the steam engine or the printing press. But revolutionary ideas like those usually bring turmoil and strife among those trying to control them. This world already has enough to worry about. Maybe his trip into town will bring an idea or two.

When they finish eating, they go out to the barn and saddle their horses. On the way down the lane, James looks over to the construction site and sees they’ve managed to get the walls to the house up and have begun to finish the roof.

At the end of the lane, red haired Moyil stands guard, the horn hanging at his side. “Do me a favor,” James says as they approach him.

“Yes, sir?” he asks.

“Don’t blow the horn when we return,” he tells him.

Giving him a nod, he replies, “I won’t sir, promise.”

“Thank you, Moyil,” he says as he leaves the lane and turns onto the road.

“You know,” says Jiron, “since we’ve gotten the extra lads, we’ve been bothered by fewer people.”

“Good,” states James. “They’re a nuisance we can do without.”

Once in town, they make their way to Alexander’s where he arranges for Roland to be able to withdraw funds. He also withdraws another two hundred golds. Leaving Alexander’s shop, he then heads over to the blacksmith to check on the status of his box.

They find Kraegan again at the anvil working on some kind of iron bar. When they pull up, one of his apprentices tells him of their arrival. Glancing over to them, he hands the iron bar to his apprentice who continues working the metal while he goes over to greet them.

“Ah, master blacksmith,” James greets him.

“Here to see about your box?” he asks.

“That’s right,” he replies. “Just wondering if it was ready yet?”

“About two more days,” he says. “All but the interior lining is completed and the man who will be doing that gets back in town this evening. Tomorrow at the earliest, but most likely the day after.”

“Excellent,” exclaims James. “I appreciate the update and I’ll not keep you from your work any longer. Good day to you.”

“Good day to you, too,” Kraegan says. Then he returns to where his apprentice is working the bar.

“Are we heading back now?” asks Miko.

Shaking his head, James says, “One more stop first.”

He takes them down to where Burl the chandler’s shop is located and stops in front of it. As he gets down from his horse he sees Mary, Devin’s mother, coming out the door carrying a bundle of goods.

“Good day, Mary,” he greets her.

“Why, James,” she says to him, a smile on her face. “It’s so good to see you. How is Devin doing?”

“He’s taking well to it,” he says. “He seems to be enjoying it.”

“Good,” she says, almost breathing a sigh of relief. “He’s always been a quiet boy and I was worried about him.”

“He’s doing fine,” he assures her.

“He never did much care for the farm,” she says. “Oh, he did well and I believe he would’ve made a good farmer, but his heart never was in it. I remember when you first came to us, his eyes lit up at the things you talked about. And then after you faced the demon, or whatever that was, I knew he’d never again be satisfied with farming.”

“I’m sorry,” he tells her.

“Oh, don’t be feeling bad or anything,” she tells him. “I may worry, but that’s a mother’s prerogative. I know a boy must find his own way, maybe this is his. At least with you, he shouldn’t get into any real danger.”

James glances to Jiron a second then says, “We’ll try to keep him safe.”

“I know you will,” she says matter-of-factly. “You’re a good man. But I must be off, no telling what the girls have gotten themselves into while I’ve been here in town.”

“You take care Mary,” he says.

“You too, James, it was nice seeing you,” she says as she moves past him with her bundle. Down the street, he can see her horse and wagon.

Feeling better about Devin being out at The Ranch, he proceeds into the chandlery.

Burl is behind the counter and looks up as the door opens. He breaks into a smile when he sees them walk in through the door. “Welcome,” he greets them.

“Good day to you Burl,” James replies.

“What can I get for you today?” he asks.

“Just looking around,” he tells him.

“If you need anything, just let me know,” he says.

“I will,” James assures him.

As they move through his shop, he looks at the goods and tries to come up with an idea, possibly a variation on what’s already available. He sees bolts of cloth and other items people may want to buy, but nothing really springs to mind. Discouraged, he leaves the shop as Burl’s “Come again” follows him out the door.

“Didn’t find anything?” Jiron asks him.

“No,” he replies. Before mounting, a thought suddenly occurs to him. He looks around at the people on the streets and a smile comes to his face. Why didn’t he notice it before? Turning around, he returns to Burl’s store. Ten minutes later he leaves, Jiron and Miko laden with several bundles each.

“What do you want with all this stuff for anyway?” he asks.

“You’ll see,” he replies cheerfully. Yes, you’ll definitely see.

Back at The Ranch, he has them put all the bundles in his room and then asks Tersa to join him there. Before closing his door, he asks Jiron and Miko to leave.

“Why?” Jiron asks as he’s being escorted out.

“Because I like surprises,” James replies, shutting the door in his face.

As he stands at the door with his ear to it, he tries to listen in to what they’re saying inside.

“That’s not very polite,” admonishes Miko.

“Neither is shutting the door in my face,” he retorts. “Shhh!” he says to Miko as he tries to hear what’s being said inside. James is talking so softly that he can’t make out the words.

Suddenly the door opens up and he stumbles into the room, almost colliding with his sister. “Jiron dear, be good enough to bring the bundles to my room. Thank you.”

He moves aside to allow his sister to pass through the door and then he turns to see James smiling on the bed. “What?” he asks, his smile making him slightly irritated.

“Oh nothing,” he tells him.

“What’s going on with my sister?” he asks.

“Nothing to be worried about, I assure you,” he replies. Then he nods to the bundles sitting on his bed, “Your sister is waiting for these I believe?”

Giving James an annoyed look, he picks them up and takes them to his sister’s room.

“Just what are you up to?” Miko asks him from the hallway.

“Like I said, I like surprises.”

From the other side of the house, James hears Tersa’s door slam shut and then he sees Jiron stalking into the front room.

When he sees James looking at him, he says, “She kicked me out!”

“Why don’t you take Miko and see if you can bring in some meat?” he asks.

“Alright,” he says. Then to Miko he adds, “Grab that crossbow of yours and we’ll see what we can do.”

“Okay,” he tells him as he moves to get it.

James watches him go, I suppose I could’ve told him, but I do like my surprises. This won’t generate a great deal of coins, but it should bring in some.

Getting up off his bed, he heads back out to his workshop to see about resolving the hiding spell. The rest of the afternoon flies by as he works on it and by the time dinner is almost ready he thinks he may have it. But he is so tired from all he’s done that he decides to wait until morning before attempting it. No sense in taking chances when he is this tired.

After dinner, Tersa lets him know she’s done. While they’re all in the front room relaxing, he has her bring it out.

“Finally!” exclaims Jiron.

They all wait expectantly while she goes to her room to get the big secret. When she returns, she has in her hands, an object. It’s about a foot in height, with two stubby arm and two stubby legs as well as a mouth sewn on and two eyes.

“What is it?” asks Roland.

“A teddy bear,” James explains.

“What’s it for?” he asks.

“Tersa, give it to Arkie,” he says.

Bringing it over to where Arkie sits in Ezra’s lap, she holds it out to him.

They all stare as he looks at it and then tentatively reaches out and grabs hold of it. Brining it closer he looks at it and then hugs it. He finds the soft material Tersa had used for its outer shell feels quite soothing against his skin and the stuffing within is soft and comfy.

“That’s what it’s for,” he says. “It’s for kids, small kids mostly. Where I come from, every child has many of such things.”

“You going to sell them?” asks Illan.

“Delia will, I’m sure,” he says. “Tersa will get a copper each and the rest will go to The Ranch to help keep it going and pay for the supplies.”

“You’re not going to be able to charge much for them,” Roland says.

“Probably not,” admits James, “but it’s a start.” He looks to Arkie who has snuggled up with the teddy bear and has a most content look upon his face.

“Thank you,” Ezra says to him.

“You’re welcome,” he replies. In a world where every woman can sew, there may not be a great market for this, it’s true. But hopefully, initially, it will sell well. If nothing else, it will bring the children happiness.